If Nothing Else, Do These 5 Things in Your Cover Letter

If Nothing Else, Do These 5 Things in Your Cover LetterIf Nothing Else, Do These 5 Things in Your Cover Letter24Though technology continues to make waves in the traditional hiring process, many basics still apply. One of those basics is the importance of providing a strong start in the form of your cover letter to potential employers.No matter how strong your LinkedIn profile is, or how effective you are at online networking, these strategies cant help you overcome a poorly written cover letter. The cover letter is your best chance to personalize your talents and skills to target a particular employer, manager, or company.Here are five musts that your cover letter should contain if your goal is to land the jobUse a proper opening.The point of your cover letter is to make a personal connection with the person doing the hiring. Try to find out the specific name of the hiring manager rather than using a generic salutation like To Whom It May Concern. If you dont know who to address, the n begin your cover letter with no greeting.Write a strong lead.Your cover letter serves a similar purpose to a newspaper article or press release in that its goal is to grab the readers attention right off the bat. Be sure to maximize the impact of your intro paragraph to clearly state what you can do for the potential employer. Summarize in a few sentences why you are the right person to help them solve the companys problems.Sell yourself.Next, you must prove what youve generalized in your lead with facts and specific experience. Try to show your experience without repeating whats in your resume verbatim on your cover letter, since the employer will have your resume as well. Give concrete examples of points made on your resume, and tie them specifically to the job for which youre applying.Know the company.Whats most important to hiring managers is how you can help their organization. Showcase your knowledge of their business by having done your research and by having thoroughly rev iewed the job posting. Refer to the companys challenges, as well as the solutions youll bring with your experience.Keep the closing brief.Simply summarize in a few sentences what you can offer with your skills and abilities. Avoid sounding pushy or in a rush for their reply end by requesting a contact at the employers convenience.Its tempting to conclude that formalities like cover letters have become less important in a job search as tech becomes more so. But nothing is further from the truth. Remember the basics, and land that jobReaders, do you have any tried-and-true techniques for your cover letter? Give us your best cover letter tips in the comments below